Growing up flying across the Nullarbor and Flinders Ranges with his grandfather John Parnell, it was no surprise Hayden McDonald wanted to become a pilot when he was older.
However, due to guidelines by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Hayden would not pass the medical test required for a commercial licence because he is autistic.
Undeterred, on September 8, Hayden embarks on a solo adventure inspired by his time as a child flying with his "Papa". He plans on circumnavigating the outback in a tiny, two-seater J120 Jabiru plane. "When I fly, I get reminded of flying around with Papa, over the old salt lakes and the red dirt. It's absolutely gorgeous and beautiful up there," Hayden, 22, tells Woman's Day.
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